Which thermometer is best?

[Cal43]

i have a candy thermometer and I hate dipping between oil and lye water with it. Is it better to get a laser thermometer?

 

[artemis]

i have a candy thermometer and I hate dipping between oil and lye water with it. Is it better to get a laser thermometer?

I don't know if it's better, but it's certainly easier. I rarely check my temperatures anymore, though. I just let things get down to where the container is warm but not hot. Or let it cool all the way down to room temp.

 

[Hendejm]

If you measure temps - infrared laser thermometer is the way to go. I got mine at Harbor Freight but Home Depot carries them as well. I’m with Artemis - I rarely measure temp anymore.

https://m.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/thermometers/121-infrared-laser-thermometer-63985.html

 

[jcandleattic]

Oils and Lye do not have to be the same temp (or even within 10-15 degrees of each other - they can be wildly different and it's still oky) to make soap.
I haven't used a thermometer in my soaping or candlemaking in almost 20 years.
When I soap "hot" (meaning not room temp) I do what artemis does, and feel the containers until they are comfortably warm, then start.

If you really want one, you can get the one that Hendejm recommended, however, make sure when taking the temps you stir the contents before taking the reading because those types of thermometers only take surface temps, which are usually a bit cooler than the middle temp will be.